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With Spring Football underway, some teams are preparing for the big non-conference games to start their year. This season has many showcase games but we’ve narrowed it down to the top 16 college football games of 2016.
16. Washington State at Boise State (September 10) – The Broncos are always tough on the blue turf but Mike Leach has a good team at Wazzou. This is a great early season game that will tell you a lot about both teams.
Predicted Win %: Boise State 71%
15. UCLA at Texas A&M (September 3) – After his top 2 QB’s last season transferred out of the program, Kevin Sumlin has some heat on him this season at A&M. UCLA will give him a good test. A win will calm a lot the waters in Aggieland.
Predicted Win %: UCLA 54%
14. Kansas State at Stanford (September 2) – Bill Snyder’s not known playing big time opponents in the non-conference so it’s good to see his take his Wildcats on the road. They’ll be tested as Christian McCaffrey gets a showcase game to kickoff his 2016 Heisman campaign.
Predicted Win %: Stanford 63%
13. Miami at Notre Dame (October 29) – A rivalry that’s been rekindled recently, Notre Dame has gotten the better of Miami. The ‘Canes hired Mark Richt to restore the program to prominence. A win over Notre Dame will do that. The Irish though are looking to beat down the Canes and try to make it to the playoff.
Predicted Win %: Notre Dame 58%
12. Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee (Battle at Bristol on September 10)
The Vols are hoping this is the year they become players on the national stage. They want to make the trip to Atlanta to play for the SEC Championship. They’ll get a good test early with the Hokies who are beginning the post-Frank Beamer era. This game is set-up at the NASCAR track in Bristol which should make for a great atmosphere. The winner here gets a shot of confidence that they might have a big season ahead.
Predicted Win %: Tennessee 52%
11. Notre Dame at Texas – The Irish start the season with a road test. Charlie Strong’s team will be improved but will they be able to execute down the stretch to knock off the Irish? It must or Charlie Strong will instantly be on the hot seat again. Brian Kelly has a team ready to contend and will be ready for this one. This game will tell you a lot about the 2016 fates of both teams.
Predicted Win %: Notre Dame 52%
10. Arkansas at TCU (September 10) – A big game for both teams and conferences as the Razorbacks of the SEC visit the Horned Frogs of the Big XII. This is a game that impacts more than just the two teams playing. This impacts the perception of both conferences. As an early game, it’ll set the bar for the conference of the winner showing it’s deeper than the rest.
Predicted Win %: TCU 61%
9. Stanford at Notre Dame (October 15) – This will be another chance for Christian McCaffrey to showcase his all-around ability on a national stage. The Irish are hoping to be title contenders and will have to use this game to make a statement. At the mid way point of the season, this should be a big game for both.
Predicted Win %: Stanford 60%
8. Notre Dame at USC (November 26) – Both teams are hoping this will have huge college football playoff ramifications. USC looks to be Pac-12 title contenders and Notre Dame thinks they have the team to be in the hunt for a playoff spot come late November. This game should be a battle and the winner will probably be in position to boost their playoff hopes a great deal. The loser will be watching the playoffs from home.
Predicted Win %: USC 60%
7. Florida State at Florida (November 26) – This game has once again gotten national implications. For a few years, the Gators fell off the map as national title contenders but they’re back. They host the ‘Noles and would love to ruin FSU’s hopes of making the playoff. This game should once again have huge stakes and the winner heads to a big time bowl, while the loser just plays out the season.
Predicted Win %: Florida State 56%
6. Clemson at Auburn (September 3)– How will Dabo Sweeney’s team rebound from their loss in the National Championship game? They go to Auburn who’d love to pull off the upset in week 1. Clemson wants to show they’re here to stay as national contenders. Gus Malzahn should have a team ready for Clemson but will they have enough to pull off a win?
Predicted Win %: Clemson 51%
5. Alabama vs. USC (at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on September 3) – The Tide open defense of their title against a very talented USC team. Is USC ready for the big stage? With a new coach, they’re hoping they now have stability in the program and want to get back on the national stage. A win against Alabama will do that. Bama will be breaking in a new starting QB and defensive coordinator.
Predicted Win %: Alabama 55%
4. LSU vs. Wisconsin (at Lambeau Field on September 3) – Paul Christ won 10 games in his first season as the head man in Madison last year. That’s become the expectation now at Wisconsin. Les Miles looked like he was gone at LSU late in 2015 but he’s been brought back. He’s got a super talented roster but QB play will be the issue. If he gets solid play there, LSU is a force nationally. This game will tell him a lot about his 2016 Tigers.
Predicted Win %: LSU 51%
3. Houston vs. Oklahoma (at NRG Stadium in Houston on September 3) – Tom Herman took over Houston last year and turned them into contenders immediately capping off the 2015 season with an impressive bowl win over Florida State. Now they’re out to slay another college football goliath in Oklahoma. Bob Stoops will have another national contender that can’t slip up in the opener. Greg Ward of Houston knows he’ll get a lot of eyes on him if he wants to start a Heisman campaign at Houston, beating OU is a great way to get it going.
Predicted Win %: Oklahoaa 59%
2. Florida State vs. Ole Miss (in Orlando September 5) – The ‘Noles and Rebels open up on Monday night at a neutral field. The winner here becomes a playoff contender, while the loser will spend the rest of the season hoping other teams lose so they can climb their way back into contention for the playoff. This should be a great game.
Predicted Win %: Florida State 50%
1. Ohio State at Oklahoma (September 17) – This has huge college football playoff implications. With both teams expected to contend for their conference title, the winner sets their conference up for an improved strength of schedule and an advantage over the other in seeding. Points are going to be fast and furious in Norman on this Saturday.
Predicted Win %: Ohio State 50%
See more of our 2016 Spring College Football Preview including schedules and predicted records. Get our data driven college football predictions all season long.
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